Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026

Mapping Metabolism: Monitoring Lactate Dehydrogenase Activity Directly in Tissue
Published on: June 21, 2018
Effects of oral lactate consumption on metabolism and exercise performance
1Department of Health, Leisure, and Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC 28608, USA. morrisdm@appstate.edu
Abstract:
Study of lactate metabolism has revealed that orally consumed lactate is used as an energy substrate either directly by oxidation or by conversion to glucose. Disposal of lactate by oxidation or gluconeogenesis consumes protons and can fortify blood bicarbonate levels temporarily and increase pH. These characteristics have led to investigations of lactate consumption as an energy substrate and as a buffering agent. Evidence has revealed no effects of lactate consumption on time to exhaustion during low- to moderate-intensity exercise, suggesting that it is ineffective as an energy supplement. Lactate ingestion has been shown to increase blood pH and bicarbonate levels and increase time to exhaustion in short, high-intensity work bouts. Future work should focus on determining optimal doses of lactate, temporal relationships between doses and exercise, and the efficacy of lactate as an ergogenic in different types of high-intensity exercise.
Related Concept Videos
Muscle Recovery and Fatigue
Fates of Pyruvate
In aerobic organisms, pyruvate is metabolized via the citric acid cycle to produce reduced coenzymes NADH and FADH2. These coenzymes are then oxidized in the electron transport chain to produce ATP and, in the process, regenerate the NAD+ and FAD. As seen in some cell types and organisms, fermentation...
Fermentation
Fermentation is a type of metabolic process that occurs in the absence of oxygen, where organic molecules such as glucose are broken down to produce energy. During this process, the...
Production of Organic Acids
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Inducible Operons: lac Operon
